The Rams were out-blocked (7.0-3.5), but led all other statistical categories, including assists, which setter Deedra Foss had a season-most 53. Foss was productive in all areas, also adding 13 digs — her third double-double of the season — four kills, two aces and two blocks.

After jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the opening set — and leading by as many as five at 16-11 — it looked as if the Rams would roll past the Gauchos. However, UCSB started chipping away, and instead of a four-point lead midway through, a call reversal after an injury delay brought the Gauchos to within two, 16-14. UCSB would go on to take 13 of the next 18 points to force set point, 24-21.

That’s when CSU took over, using a 4-0 run to hold its first set point, 25-24. It would take three tries, but eventually, the Rams prevailed, winning Set 1, 28-26, on a Reynolds kill.

Again jumping out to an early lead in Set 2 (5-1), UCSB responded, tying the score at 5-5. The Rams would then take six of seven to hold a 12-6 advantage, however, and would lead by at least five for the remainder of the set, including a match-most 11, at 21-10.

In the frame, CSU hit .500 (18-3-30), led by Culbert’s five kills.

After the break, the two teams were caught in a back-and-forth battle, being tied eight times by the 9-9 mark, but the Gauchos would take three straight to lead 12-9, and held the advantage the remainder of the set.

The Rams were able to put it away in Set 4, using a 4-0 run to break a 7-7 tie. When the Gauchos brought the score to 13-11, Lawrence responded with three kills during a 4-1 run to keep UCSB at bay.

CSU will have a short turnaround, facing host Pepperdine, which is also receiving top-25 votes, tonight at 8:30 p.m. MT for the tournament title. CSU has won eight of its last 10 regular-season tournament championships, dating back to 2009. The match can be streamed here.